Auditory feedback device and method for swimming speed

ABSTRACT

There is provided an auditory feedback swim training device for use by a swimmer. The device includes a flow meter connectable to the swimmer and configured to measure a flow rate of fluid while the swimmer is swimming. A control unit determines a speed or distance of the swimmer from the measured flow rate. A selection tool is in operative communication with the control unit and configured to receive a user input corresponding to desired swimming performance data. An auditory feedback device is wearable by the swimmer while swimming and in operative communication with the control unit. The control unit is configured to derive the desired swimming performance data from the determined speed of the swimmer and generate a feedback signal corresponding to the derived swimming performance data. The auditory playback device is configured to project an audible signal corresponding to the feedback signal while the swimmer is swimming.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/544,994, filed Oct. 7, 2011, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a swim training device, and more specifically to an auditory feedback swim training device which provides real-time feedback to a swimmer while swimming without disrupting the swimmer's form.

2. Description of the Related Art

Swimming is a sport and pastime that is participated in throughout the world. Improvement in one's swimming ability generally requires routine training and practice. Swimming at a high level not only requires the swimmer to be in good aerobic shape, but additionally requires good form throughout a swim. Along these lines, a swimmer who positions his body so as to provide minor fluid resistance will typically swim faster with the same effort compared to someone with higher hydrodynamic drag. Thus, small changes in form or movement, such as changes in the angle of the swimmer's hand or the movement of a head, can significantly reduce the swimmer's speed and increase fatigue.

Competitive swimmers train extensively to perfect their performance. Several training devices have been developed to provide feedback to the swimmer in connection with the swimmer's training session. For instance, lap counters and timing devices, such as stop watches, have been used for timing and evaluating a swimmer's performance. Furthermore, more sophisticated lap counted devices have been developed which employ motion sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers.

Although the lap counting and timing devices provide some measure of feedback to the swimmer, such devices do not provide real-time feedback to the swimmer. In other words, the swimmer typically completes his swim before obtaining the results of the lap counting or timing device. Some additional training devices are configured to be worn on the swimmer's wrist or leg and have a small display which depicts information related to swimmer's training session. However, those arm and leg mounted devices tend to be difficult and impractical to view without interrupting the swimming activity and breaking the swimmer's form.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a swim training device which provides feedback to a swimmer during a swim without disrupting the swimming activity. Various aspects of the present invention address these particular needs, as will be discussed in more detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

There is provided an auditory feedback swim training device for use by a swimmer. The device includes a flow meter connectable to the swimmer and configured to measure a flow rate of fluid moving relative to the flow meter while the swimmer is swimming. A control unit is operatively coupled to the flow meter and is configured to determine a speed of the swimmer from the measured flow rate of the fluid. A selection tool is in operative communication with the control unit and is configured to receive a user input corresponding to desired swimming performance data. An auditory feedback device is wearable by the swimmer while swimming and in operative communication with the control unit. The control unit is configured to derive the desired swimming performance data from the determined speed of the swimmer and generate a feedback signal corresponding to the derived swimming performance data. The auditory playback device is configured to project an audible signal corresponding to the feedback signal while the swimmer is swimming.

The flow meter may include a housing and a turbine rotatably coupled to the housing. The housing defines an opening, within which the turbine is disposed, and through which fluid flows causing the turbine to rotate relative to the housing.

The control unit may determine the speed or distance of the swimmer based on measured rotations of the turbine relative to the housing. The control unit may be configured to determine the speed of the swimmer in at least two measurement units (i.e., miles per hour, kilometers per hour, etc.). The control unit may be capable of generating a feedback signal corresponding to the speed of the swimmer in at least two languages. The control unit may be configured to generate the feedback signal in response to the swimming speed matching a predetermined threshold speed. The predetermined threshold speed may relate to an upper speed target. The control unit may be programed to generate a performance signal in response to reaching or achieving various goals, such as time, distance, average speed, and/or peak speed. The control unit may also have selectable modes for stroke interpretation for different stroke types, i.e., freestyle, breast stroke, butterfly, etc.

The auditory feedback swim training device may additionally include a storage device configured to store data related to the speed of the swimmer, and a transmitter for communicating the stored data to a remote computing device.

The auditory feedback swim training device may further include a stroke detector (i.e., detects stroke completions or stroke cycles) in communication with the control unit and configured to determine individual swimming strokes based on changes in swim speed. The stroke detector may communicate a stroke signal to the control unit in response to detection of each swimming stroke. The control unit may be configured to generate the feedback signal in response to receiving the stroke signal.

The auditory feedback device may include bone conduction headphones.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing auditory feedback to a swimmer. The method includes the steps of: measuring a flow rate of water relative to the swimmer while the swimmer is swimming; receiving user input regarding desired swimming performance data; correlating the flow rate into the desired swimming performance data; and communicating the swimming performance data to the swimmer while the swimmer is swimming.

The measuring step may include using a flow meter having a housing and a rotatable turbine and measuring the rotations of the turbine relative to the housing.

The correlating step may include converting the measured rotations of the turbine into a swimming speed.

The user input may relate to a desired unit of measurement for a measured swimming speed. The desired unit of measurement may be miles per hour or kilometers per hour.

The step of communicating the swimming performance data may include using bone conduction headphones wearable by the swimmer while swimming.

The method may additionally include the step of storing the swimming performance data.

The method may further include the step of communicating the swimming performance data to a remote location.

The method may additionally include the step of detecting individual swimming strokes while the swimmer is swimming from the measured flow rate of the water. The detection of the individual swimming strokes may include analyzing changes in the swimming speed.

The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a swimmer using an auditory feedback swim training device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the auditory feedback swim training device on a swimmer shown in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged front view of the auditory feedback swim training device;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the auditory feedback swim training device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side cross sectional view of the auditory feedback swim training device shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electrical components included in one embodiment of the swim training device.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and are not for purposes of limiting the same, there is shown an auditory feedback swim training device 10 which provides audible feedback to a swimmer while swimming. The swim training device 10 is wearable on the swimmer 12 while swimming and includes a flow meter 14 to measure the flow of water passing by the swimmer 12 during the swim. The measured flow rate is correlated into performance data, which is communicated to the swimmer via a real-time audible signal.

The swim training device 10 provides many advantages over conventional lap-timing equipment, wherein the swimmer typically does not receive performance results until after the lap is complete and the swimming has concluded. The auditory feedback swim training device 10 may advantageously provide real-time feedback to a swimmer during a swim, which allows the swimmer to immediately recognize when his swimming improves or regresses. The real-time feedback allows the swimmer to easily determine which physical actions are causing the speed change, while allows for rapid learning. Since the performance data is provided audibly, preferably through earphones, the swimming activity is not interrupted. In this regard, the swimmer is not required to view the results on a display worn on the swimmer's wrist or leg. Instead, the performance results are conveyed in a manner which does not disrupt the normal swimming motion of the swimmer.

The flow meter 14 of the swim training device 10 is connectable to the swimmer 12 and is configured to measure a flow rate of fluid moving relative to the flow meter 14 while the swimmer is swimming. In the exemplary embodiment, the flow meter 14 includes a cylindrical housing 16 and a turbine 18 rotatably coupled thereto. The cylindrical housing 16 is disposed about a longitudinal axis 20 and defines an opening 22 extending through the housing 16 along the longitudinal axis 20. The turbine 18 resides within the cylindrical housing 16 and includes a shaft and a plurality of blades coupled to the shall.

The cylindrical housing 16 is positionable within the water while the swimmer swims such that water passes through the opening 22 defined by the cylindrical housing 16 as the swimmer moves through the water. The fluid flow through the opening 22 causes the turbine 18 to rotate, such that the device 10 is configured to correlate the rotation speed of the turbine 18 with the swimming speed of the swimmer 12.

According to one embodiment, the flow meter 14 includes one or more magnets 24 attached to the turbine blades and a hall-effect sensor 26 to produce an electronic pulse from the magnetic field passing by the sensor 26. According to one embodiment, the sensor 26 is low power and has a good measurement speed ratio (slow to fast) and provides suitable accuracy. Furthermore, the turbine 18 provides low fluid restriction, good reliability and it is typically formed from low-cost materials.

The sensor 26 is in operative communication with a control unit 28 to communicate measurement data obtained from the sensor 26 to the control unit 28 for further analysis. The control unit 28 receives the raw data obtained from the sensor 26 and translates the data into performance information or data which is communicated to the user. For instance, the raw sensor data may be correlated into a swimming speed which is then audibly reported to the swimmer 12.

According to one embodiment, the control unit 28 may be able to correlate the measured flow rate into a distance measurement. For instance, each rotation of the turbine 18 is equal to a fixed distance, and by measuring the number of rotations, the control unit 28 is able to calculate a distance traveled over a given period of time. The time measurement may be generated by a clock 30 or timing module included in, or in operative communication with the control unit 28. Thus, by measuring the rotation of the turbine 18, the speed or velocity of the swimmer 12 may be determined by a simple calculation of dividing the measured distance by the time.

Once the swimmer's velocity is determined, several additional performance parameters may be derived therefrom. For instance, the control unit 28 may derive the acceleration (or deceleration) of the swimmer 12 from the calculated velocity data. In general, the swimmer's acceleration is equal to the rate of change of the velocity, i.e., change in velocity over a given period of time.

Another performance parameter which may be derived from the velocity is detection of the individual strokes performed by the swimmer 12. The strokes may be detected by the swim training device 10 via a stroke detector 32 in communication with the control unit 28. The individual strokes may be identified by analyzing the changes in the swimming speed and recognizing that the swimmer's speed varies throughout a single stroke. In other words, the stroke detector 32 may detect a periodic change in velocity as the swimmer 12 performs consecutive strokes. The velocity data may be stored to construct a speed profile, and each stroke may be associated with one cycle of the velocity waveform data. For instance, the stroke detector 32 may recognize a new stroke when the acceleration data changes from a negative acceleration (i.e., deceleration) to a positive acceleration. In general, a swimming stroke is either in acceleration mode with energy coming from the hands and feet or in deceleration mode during recovery of the arms and feet. The stroke detector 32 may be configured to detect the end of each stroke when the acceleration ceases or reverses.

The stroke detector 32 may additionally include a plurality of selectable modes for stroke interpretation, i.e., interpretation of stroke type. For instance, a breast stroke has an expanded speed/distance factor due to hands pushing water next to the turbine 18 during the return portion of the stroke. The different stroke modes may be selected using the selection tool 62, described in more detail below.

Once the individual strokes are detected by the stroke detector 32, the performance data may include stroke information. For instance, it is contemplated that the number of strokes performed by the swimmer 12 during a given period of time (i.e., during a lap, during a training period, etc) may be reported to the swimmer 12. Furthermore, the average time per stroke and the average speed per stroke may also be calculated.

The device 10 may additionally include a GPS module 34 for tracking the position of the device 10 as the swimmer 12 swims. The GPS information may be useful to determine when a swimmer 12 completes a lap (i.e., the swimmer's direction will change). Furthermore, the GPS information may be useful for a swimmer 12 swimming in open water (i.e., a lake, river or ocean) to provide position information in connection with the swimmer's performance.

The control unit 28 may be configured to generate several different performance signals which correspond to the measured or derived performance data. The control unit 28 is operatively connectable to an audible feedback device, such as earphones 36, which emit an audible signal to communicate the performance information to the swimmer 12. The audible signal may be communicated in several different formats, depending on the preferences of the swimmer 12, as well as the type of performance information being communicated via the audible signal. For instance, the audible signal may include verbal signals, tones (continuous or intermittent) or other signals known by those skilled in the art. The control unit 28 may be configured to generate the feedback signal in response to the swimming speed meeting a threshold speed. For instance, the threshold speed may include an upper speed target, or lower speed minimum. It is also contemplated that the control unit 28 may be programmed to report upon reaching other goals, such as time, distance, number of strokes, number of laps, etc.

The benefits associated with the audible signaling may be exemplified in relation to the swimmer's velocity. According to one embodiment, the swimming speed or velocity may be communicated to the swimmer 12 in verbal format. In this regard, the swimmer 12 may hear the words associated with the swimming speed. The control unit 28 may be configured to communicate the swimming speed in several different languages. In another embodiment, the relative speed may effectively be communicated to the swimmer 12 via pitch or tone which varies as the swimmer's speed increases or decreases. For instance, the pitch or tone may increase as the swimmer's speed increases, and the pitch or tone may decrease as the pitch or tone decreases. Furthermore, the speed may be conveyed via a signal frequency, wherein the frequency of the signal increases and decreases with the swimmer's speed.

It is further contemplated that several performance characteristics may be communicated to the swimmer simultaneously. For example, the swimmer's speed may be communicated via a first signal (i.e., verbal signals or tonal signals), and the swimmer's individual strokes may be communicated via a second signal (i.e., a beep at the beginning of each stroke, wherein the pitch of the beep changes in accordance with the time between each stroke). Thus, the swimmer may obtain a significant amount of performance feedback in real-time to allow for evaluation of the swimmer's form. In this regard, if the performance feedback is positive, the swimmer 12 will easily be able to determine which actions were attributable to the positive performance. Conversely, if the performance feedback is negative, the swimmer 12 will easily be able to determine which actions were attributable to the negative results. Therefore, the swimmer may adopt the positive actions and omit the negative actions from his form, which results in more efficient swim training.

The swim training device 10 may further include a digital storage device 38 in communication with the control unit 28 for storing performance information. The stored data may include distance information, velocity information, acceleration information, time information, stroke information, or other swimming information obtained or derived by the swim training device 10.

The storage device 38 may be in operative communication with a transceiver 40 for communicating the stored information to a remote device 42. The remote device 42 may include a smart phone, tablet computer, PDA, or other computing device. The communication between the transceiver 40 and the remote device 42 may be two-way communication. In this regard, information may be sent from the swim training device 10 to the remote device 42, as well as from the remote device 42 to the swim training device 10.

The transceiver 40 may be configured to establish wireless communication, such as Bluetooth™ communication, between the transceiver 40 and the remote device 42. It is also contemplated that wired communication between the transceiver 40 and the remote device 42 may be employed in various embodiments of the present invention. The transceiver 40 may also be capable of communicating with a remote location via the Internet, such as a fitness monitoring website for viewing and analysis of the performance data.

A harness 44 is preferably used to secure the flow meter 14 to the swimmer 12 so as to maintain the flow meter 14 in a submerged state within the water during the swim. Therefore, in one embodiment, the cylindrical housing 16 is mounted on a base 46. The harness 44 may be coupled to the base 44 for securing the base 44 and the various components mounted thereon to the swimmer 12 in a position which remains submerged during the swim.

The exemplary harness 44 includes a torso portion 48 which extends around the swimmer's torso and a neck portion 50 which extends around the swimmer's neck. A torso buckle 52 is slidably connected to the torso portion 48 of the harness 44, and includes a first connector portion engageable with a second connector portion for securing the torso portion 48 to the swimmer 12. The neck portion 50 may optionally include a buckle, but many embodiments, including the exemplary embodiment, do not include a buckle. Instead, the neck portion 50 is simply placed around the wearer's neck as shown in FIG. 2. The length of the neck portion 50 may be adjusted via an adjustment tab 54 slidable along the length of the neck portion 50.

The housing 16 is essentially secured to the swimmer's torso via the torso portion 48 of the harness 44, while the neck portion 50 effectively fixes the housing 16 in spaced relation to the swimmer's head. In this regard, the housing 16 may be moved closer to the swimmer's head by shortening the length of the neck portion 50, and moved away from the swimmer's head by increasing the length of the neck portion 50.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a swimmer 12 wearing the device 10 while swimming. The harness 44 is used to secure the housing 16 adjacent the front side of the swimmer's torso, in spaced relation to the swimmer's head and arms, so as to avoid interfering with the swimmer's arm strokes or breathing. If the swimmer 12 is performing a back stroke, then the harness 44 may be arranged such that the housing 16 is positioned adjacent the swimmer's back, so as to keep the housing 16 submerged in the water throughout the swim.

According to one embodiment, the earphones 36 include at least one ear bud 56 and a cord 58 extending from the ear bud 56 to the base 46. The base 46 may include a plug connector 60 which the cord 58 plugs into during use. The cord 58 may be routed along the harness 44 to secure the cord 58 thereto and to mitigate hydrodynamic drag on the cord 58 while swimming and inadvertent removal of the ear bud 56 from the swimmer's ear. A cord clip may also be used to attach the cord to a goggle strap.

The earphone 36 is preferably constructed so as to be useable and submergible in water, including chlorinated water, fresh water, and salt water. Furthermore, the connections between the earphone 36 and the base 46 may also be configured for use in water. The earphones 36 may be bone conduction earphones so as to avoid problems of water impeding sound conduction in standard air conduction earphones.

Although the exemplary embodiment includes an earphone 36 including a cord 58, it is contemplated that other embodiments may include a cordless earphone, which includes an earpiece which communicates wirelessly with the control unit 28. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that the term “earphone” may encompass headphones or other small loudspeakers intended to be positioned close to the user's ear(s).

Various implementations of the swim training device 10 include a user interface for allowing the user to select various operational modes and make requests for performance data. The user interface includes a selection tool 62 in operative communication with the control unit 28 and configured to receive user input corresponding to desired swimming performance data. Referring now specifically to FIGS. 3 and 6, the exemplary device includes a first button 64, a second button 66, a third button 68 and a fourth button 70. The first and second buttons 64, 66 may be selectable to make user selections regarding various operational modes, while the third and fourth buttons 68, 70 may be selectable to increase or decrease the volume of the audible playback. For instance, the device 10 may report different performance data in each operational mode. Velocity may be reported in a first operational mode, acceleration may be reported in a second operational mode, stroke count may be reported in a third operational mode, and so forth. The first and second buttons 64, 66 may be used to navigate through an audible user menu for making selections as to the particular operational mode the user desires.

The device 10 may be powered via an internal battery 72. The battery 72 may be replaceable or rechargeable as needed.

Although the foregoing describes the exemplary embodiment as an auditory swim training device, it is contemplated that other aspects of the present invention may relate to performance feedback for other sports or activities. For instance, a training device for snow skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, mountain biking, etc., may benefit from real-time auditory feedback. When performing these activities, the user typically must remain focused on the activity, and cannot view visual feedback. However, the user's sense of hearing is typically available during these activities, and thus, audible feedback may be utilized to convey performance information while the person is concentrating visually on the activity.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An auditory feedback swim training device for use by a swimmer, the device comprising: a flow meter connectable to the swimmer and configured to measure a flow rate of fluid moving relative to the flow meter while the swimmer is swimming; a control unit operatively coupled to the flow meter and configured to determine a speed of the swimmer from the measured flow rate; a selection tool in operative communication with the control unit and configured to receive a user input corresponding to desired swimming performance data; and an auditory feedback device wearable by the swimmer while swimming and in operative communication with the control unit; the control unit being configured to derive the desired swimming performance data from the determined speed of the swimmer and generate a feedback signal corresponding to the derived swimming performance data; the auditory feedback device being configured to project an audible signal corresponding to the feedback signal while the swimmer is swimming.
 2. The auditory feedback swim training device recited in claim 1, wherein the flow meter includes a housing and a turbine rotatably coupled to the housing.
 3. The auditory feedback swim training device recited in claim 2, wherein the control unit determines the speed of the swimmer based on measured rotations of the turbine relative to the housing.
 4. The auditory feedback swim training device recited in claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to determine the speed of the swimmer in at least two measurement units.
 5. The auditory feedback swim training device recited in claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of generating a feedback signal corresponding to the speed of the swimmer in at least two languages.
 6. The auditory feedback swim training device recited in claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to generate the feedback signal in response to the swimming speed matching a predetermined threshold speed.
 7. The auditory feedback swim training device recited in claim 6, wherein the predetermined threshold speed relates to an upper speed target.
 8. The auditory feedback swim training device recited in claim 1, further comprising: a storage device configured to store data related to the speed of the swimmer; and a transmitter for communicating the stored data to a remote computing device.
 9. The auditory feedback swim training device recited in claim 1, further comprising: a stroke detector in communication with the control unit and configured to determine individual swimming strokes based on changes in determined swim speed; the stroke detector communicating a stroke signal to the control unit in response to detection of each swimming stroke; the control unit being configured to generate the feedback signal in response to receiving the stroke signal.
 10. The auditory feedback swim training device recited in claim 1, wherein the auditory feedback device includes bone conduction headphones.
 11. A method of providing auditory feedback to a swimmer, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a flow rate of water relative to the swimmer while the swimmer is swimming; receiving user input regarding desired swimming performance data; correlating the flow rate into the desired swimming performance data; and communicating the swimming performance data to the swimmer while the swimmer is swimming.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein: the measuring step includes using a flow meter having a housing and a rotatable turbine and measuring the rotations of the turbine relative to the housing.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein: the correlating step includes converting the measured rotations of the turbine into a swimming speed.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the user input relates to a desired unit of measurement for a measured swimming speed.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the desired unit of measurement is miles per hour.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of communicating the swimming performance data includes using bone conduction headphones wearable by the swimmer while swimming.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of storing the swimming performance data.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of communicating the swimming performance data to a remote location.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of detecting individual swimming strokes while the swimmer is swimming from the measured flow rate of the water.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of detecting individual swimming strokes includes: analyzing changes in the swimming speed. 